ACCOLADES

91 POINTS

87 POINTS, BEST BUY

"Raspberry and red-plum aromas are light and a touch smoky. On the palate, this is fresh, juicy and driven by good acidity. Bright stone-fruit flavors blend with pie-cherry notes in front of a lasting citrusy finish."

NEW RELEASE

"Spanish Cava brand Segura Viudas has debuted a new Gran Cuvée Reserva and updated the packaging across its line. The newest offering is a hand-harvested blend of Spain's Macabeo and Parellada grapes as well as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which is aged on the lees in the winery's subterranean caves."

91 POINTS

91 POINTS

"Introduced by a lively, crisp mousse, this 100% Chardonnay sparkler is made méthode Champenoise, and dry. Highlights on the nose and palate include a nuttiness of hazelnut and almond, green apple and orange, with a lilt of lemon zest."

92 POINTS

"Savory black cherry flavors and dark chocolate tannins give this a classical Coonawarra profile. It’s not green or vigorous, though the aroma carries a hint of mint and persimmon. Those notes add nuance and earthy textural detail, making this an elegant cabernet for lamb."

91 POINTS

"Doughy marzipan and shortbread cookie greet the nose and palate initially in this nicely inviting wine, made from a majority of Pinot Noir. Sweet succulent strawberry and peach dot a palate that's both luxurious and velvety, offering length and breadth within a refreshing continuum."

RECOMMENDED

"If sweet sparkling wine is your thing, this Spanish Moscato is for you. Super-fragrant, the smell jumps out of the glass at you, intensely aromatic of summer flowers and fruit. Delicate and soft, this could be a good pairing with soft cheese." View article

90 POINTS

“This new offering from the sparkling wine producer reveals strongly crafted layers of creamy apple pie, crème brûlée and toasty oak flavors. Made in a full-bodied, concentrated style, it doesn't hold back on its spicy acidity and lemony finish.”

90 POINTS - BEST BUY

12 WINES TO TRY THIS SUMMER

"Mia White is a young, fruity wine made from a blend of Macabeo, Xarello and Parallada with a touch of MOscatel grapes. With a bright, straw color and an aroma reminiscent of apples, pears and bananas, the wine is refreshing, fruity and light with hints of honey and orange blossom on the finish. Pair it with manchego cheese, salads, grilled chicken or even spicy Thai food."Click here to view article

91 POINTS

"The Gran Cuvee Reserva is a beautiful expression of Cava from Segura Viudas... It shows a floral nose with hints of spice, pear and apple. On the palate it is well balanced, creamy and fresh, with exceptional length and a crisp, clean finish. At this price one of the best values you are likely to find in top-notch sparkling wine."

91 POINTS

"Doughy marzipan and shortbread cookie greet the nose and palate initially in this nicely inviting wine, made from a majority of Pinot Noir. Sweet succulent strawberry and peach dot a palate that's both luxurious and velvety, offering length and breadth within a refreshing continuum."

90 POINTS

90 POINTS

“Tight-grained tannins wrap around full-bodied earthiness and fruit, while a mixture of strawberry and cherry is met by bay and a hint of mint. Bright, lively acidity adds to the experience, which succeeds in length and depth."

TOP 10 SWEET SPARKLING WINES

"If the pleasing pink color isn't enough to get you into a sparkling mood, the tropical aroma and natural sweetness certainly is. Just try not to blush when the fresh and delicate finish tempts you like a late kiss at the end of the night." View article

90 POINTS

"The 2015 Carneros Chardonnay has notes of lemon pie, pink grapefruit and green mango with touches of honeyed toast and allspice. Medium-bodied, the palate is understated and savory, with a good amount of citrus fruit and spice notes, finishing long and lively."

90 POINTS

"Youthfully intense and massive, this is amped up with oak and huge amounts of tannic extract. While those tannins are tough, there's cassis flavor driving through the wine, needing bottle age to fully emerge."

91 POINTS

A small-production vintage-dated sparkler made from 67% Pinot Noir and 33% Chardonnay, this wine succeeds in its smooth refined contour of peach mousse and vanilla. It's dry, but voluptuously rich, remaining balanced through the tangy tart finish."

GOLD STAR RATING

"Light and effervescent, with sweet floral and ripe stone fruit and citrus aromas over floral and mineral notes. Fresh on the palate, showing pear, nectarine, and ripe cantaloupe. Clean and fresh finish. Great by the glass."

RECOMMENDED

WINNER

"Best Bargain. Two-Time Wine Trials Selection. This wine is particularly impressive for its price: while it showed Champagne-like characteristics last year, this year it managed to pump up its fruit flavors without losing its deliciously fresh acidic character."

RECOMMENDED FOR THE HOLIDAYS

"This wine is just easy and fun... this one comes from central Spain and has all the juicy, fruity notes you expect out of a Tempranillo, while being a bit lighter and fresher on the palate... this wine is easy drinking and great for sipping... the perfect wine to use when making red Sangria."

FEATURED

“This wine is pure raspberry, with underlying hints of strawberry, red cherry, violet and blueberry, which give a vivid brightness to the wine. “The soils of this vineyard are rocky and volcanic, and they give this wine elegant red fruit characteristics and a firmly structured mouthfeel,” says Iantosca. Anything with mushrooms is my take.”

BEST BUY, 87 POINTS

"For a sweet bubbly priced at $9, you can’t go wrong with Carta Nevada Semi Dry. This is smooth from nose to body to finish. Aromas of pear and banana are easy, while the palate keeps its poise and feel while dealing pear, mango and banana flavors. For a sugary sparkler this more than gets the job done."

90 POINTS

"Light red-purple, bright and clear; the bouquet has fragrant red berry aromas, the light- to medium-bodied palate with similar fruit enhanced by fine but persistent tannins. Given an extra point for its freshness and elegance."

88 POINTS

“Copper rose. A rosé Brut made from 100% Pinot Noir is unusual in the Cava appellation. This one is creamy smooth with ripe red fruit and notes of earth and dried herbs. Very easy and pleasant drinking.”

ACORDEÓN TOP ARGENTINA VALUE BRAND OF THE YEAR

92 POINTS

"A complex and heady cava that delivers on its richness without sweetness. Its potent depth of flavor has a smoky minerality and fresh apple-skin notes. This is full and meaty enough to serve with roast chicken or albondigas de ternera (veal meatballs)."

91 POINTS

"A bubbly with broad shoulders and a crisp, minerally backbone. The aromas balance apple and citrus notes with accents of fresh ginger and rubber. The structure suggests that the flavors will blossom with food. Drink now through 2015."

BEST VALUE

RECOMMENDED

"This 100% estate grown Albarino promises an engaging medley of fruit and finesse. Highlighted by ripe peach and apricot aromatics with a rich round palate that tells of extended time with the lees, the 2014 Vionta Albarino carries weight and volume along with well-honed acidity." View article

RECOMMENDED

92 POINTS

"Cabernet with its dancing shoes on. This is an enjoyable wine to be around. It's fleet-footed, almost frisky, with boysenberry and violets, blackcurrant and bay leaf notes washing fleshily through the palate."

93 POINTS 2008 Royal Cuvée

87 POINTS, BEST BUY

"Grassy lemon-lime aromas are alert and bright. A fresh, fruity palate is home to mild apple, pear and lees flavors. On the finish, this Cava is lasting, steady and ordinary in a welcome, textbook way."

95 POINTS - PLATINUM WINNER

NEW RELEASE & PACKAGING UPDATE

"Spanish Cava brand Segura Viudas has debuted a new Gran Cuvée Reserva... a hand-harvested blend of Spain's Macabeo and Parellada grapes as well as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir... The line is also receiving a new modern packaging design predominently featuring the Segura Viudas crest that celebrates the winery's history."

88 POINTS

"Dry on the nose, with soda cracker, seltzer, candle wax and lime. The palate is active but settled, with a nice, normal mix of apple and lime flavors. Long, dry and crisp on the finish. Good for seafood and salty tapas."

90 POINTS

92 POINTS

"This newly released still wine...is a successful first effort, blending bright cherry, strawberry and tangly blood orange flavors. With an earthy hint of compost and forest, it celebrates the variety in all its glory, upholding its acidity beneath a weight of richness."

94 POINTS

"Always a fine California sparkler, the 2007 kicks it up a notch, with loads of brioche prevalent, having been aged sur-lie and not disgorged until 2015. That said, there's no shortage of bright apple and pear fruit, stony minerality, with a touch of quince rounding things out. I've loved every release of this bottling, and this might be the best of the lot. Well Done!"

TOP 10 WINES UNDER $10

91 POINTS, PUBLISHER'S PICKS

"The name references John Riddoch, founder of Coonawarra, a small region in South Australia known for its porous red, clay-over-limestone soils. Cabernet is heralded here for its structure, and this wine tasted like one three times its retail price. This expressive deep red speaks of spearmint and chaparral, with smacking blackberry that rounds out its rustic tannins and a spicy mid-palate."

88 POINTS

“Muted aromas of red berries. Very creamy on the attack with red berry and watermelon flavors, finishing on a long, slightly sweet fruit note. A very pleasant, easy drinking wine that would make a fine aperi­tif beverage. Excellent value.”

90 POINTS

88 POINTS

"Light yellow. Vivid pear and lemon rind aromas are complicated by musky floral and herbal scents. Refreshingly bitter pear skin and citrus flavors show good clarity and a slightly dry edge, with a spicy element emerging on the back half. Finishes with good grip and citris cut."

90 POINTS

"Smells a little sweet but has all the Prosecco details. Pear fruit, flowers, a touch of apple core, some mineral hints and a touch of ginseng. A bit coarse in the mouth, but not terribly effervescent, which makes this friendly and easy to drink. The fruit is bright with lime and pineapple accents to the core of pear which is lightly etched with mineral. More pear skin on the finish is joined with by a hint of herb and ginseng. This is all I want from a Prosecco."

TOP 8 SPANISH SPARKLERS

BEST BUY

“Dry, crisp and nice, this has white fruit aromas that are familiar and friendly. It comes across medium bodied, dusty and yeasty, with an apple accent and a vanilla flavor. The finish is lightly toasted and slightly briny.”

92 POINTS, GOLD MEDAL, BEST OF CLASS

90 POINTS

“Pale to med ruby-purple colored, the 2014 Pinot Noir WindVane Reserve has aromas of red cherries, raspberries and garrigue with wafts of wild thyme and lavender. The medium to full-bodied palate offers lovely purity with a great core of fruit and a soft slippery texture, finishing with very good persistence.”

91 POINTS

90 POINTS

"This brut-style bubbly is comprised of 67% Pinot Noir and 33% Chardonnay and shows aspects of both varieties. It’s fairly full bodied, with raspberry, strawberry, lime, brioche, vanilla and toast flavors. Feels elegant, complex and lush in the mouth, and should develop additional bottle notes over the next six years."

94 POINTS

"The 2001 vintage was a good one for Gloria Ferrer, and this brut, made almost equally from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, is exceptionally delicious. It was held on the lees all this time, giving it a creamy yeastiness in addition to savory lime, strawberry and vanilla flavors. Drink now."

TOP SYRAH

“…well-balanced and fresh feeling with well-judged tannins and almost juicy acidity accentuating the core of plummy fruit. There's a lovely hint of spice here and again an herbal nuance on the palate that recalls the nose. With air the fruit gains some darker aspects but the appeal here for me is the freshness in the mouth and the decidedly medium-bodied feel. A nuance of toasty marshmallow appears on the back end and some gentle streaks of oak pop on the finish but the oak is well-used here. Easy drinking bistro styled wine.”

BEST PROSECCO

FEATURED

"Segura Viudas, the Spanish cava known for its remarkable quality-price ratio, is undergoing a dramatic label change. Taking a turn toward the masculine, the new package will be robed in toned of burnished chestnut and will feature the Segura family crest more prominently. The new look rolls our nationwide in September." View Article

WINE OF THE WEEK

"Expect to find plenty of ripe red fruit, think cherry and raspberry, on the nose with a touch of earth and wisp of spice playing in the background...This wine is priced and poised to be an easy-going everyday wine, perfect for pairing with everything from pizza to burgers and spaghetti to Eggplant Parmesan."View Article

IDEAL FOR SUMMER ENJOYMENT

Freixenet just partnered with winemaker Gloria Collell, to introduce her Mia Wines, fulfilling her dream to make food-friendly, easy drinking, everyday wines…From her sparkling wines, like a very fruit forward and slightly sweet Moscato, to her aromatic, honey, apple and pear filled Mia White made from the traditional Spanish grapes traditionally used to make Cava, to a robust Tempranillo, the wines are ideal for summertime enjoyment.View Article

FEATURED

"Since Jewish celebrations call for bubbly, Spanish sparkling wine brand Freixenet introduced Excelencia Kosher Brut to the United States earlier this year. Freixenet projects sales of 1,000 cases in the United States in 2014, with growth to 5,000 cases expected over the next few years."

RECOMMENDED

"To salute the 100th anniversary of the first bottling of Freixenet, the Ferrer family created Casa Sala Brut Nature Gran Reserva, an exquisite vintage (2006) sparkling wine completely handcrafted using the original gravity-flow methods of a century ago. The wine enjoyed its U.S. debut at Toro, accompanied by tapas and presented by Freixenet Group CEO Pedro Ferrer. Half and half Xarel-lo and Parellada, the wine spent 50 full months on the lees under a cork stopper." View article

90 POINTS

"From a hillside block within Gloria Ferrer's vineyard, this 2003 is fully mature and ready to enjoy, especially if you've just ordered a plate of beef carpaccio or cotechino with lentils. It starts off light and fragrant, with scents of rose and raspberry, then the flavors deepen, feeling saturated without excess extract, supple and complete."

BEST FOR $10 OR LESS

BEST BUY

"Dry, lightweight and peppery, but zesty, fresh and clean. The body is streamlined to the point of being lean, but the raspberry and cherry flavors...are crisp and legit. Tart, tasty and simple red wine."

FREIXENET MARKS CENTENNIAL

"To salute the 100th anniversary of the first bottling of Freixenet, the Ferrer family created Casa Sala Brut Nature Gran Reserva, an exquisite vintage (2006) sparkling wine completely handcrafted using the original gravity-flow methods of a century ago."View article

93 POINTS

Best of the Year
"The later disgorging of this wine made from 67% Pinot Noir and 33% Chardonnay has given it a complexity of texture and flavor that’s compelling, an older golden-apple and dried apricot sensibility that’s intriguing on the nose and palate. Sizzling acidity makes for a crisp, dry wine, with lengthy finish."

90 POINTS

“With its dusty mineral and leesy nose, the Heredad Reserva promises a lot, and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s clean, lively and richly flavored with a steely-citrus mid-palate and minerals appearing again on the finish. Simply fabulous for the price.”

NEW RELEASE

"Freixenet USA introduced a vintage Cava this fall. The 2006 Casa Sala Gran Reserva Brut Nature takes its name from the Sala side of the Freixenet's founding Sala Ferrer family, with a label replicating that of the first Freixenet Brut Nature."

GOLD STAR RATING

"Light and effervescent, with sweet floral and ripe stone fruit and citrus aromas over floral and mineral notes. Fresh on the palate, showing pear, nectarine, and ripe cantaloupe. Clean and fresh finish. Great by the glass."

100 YEARS OF SUCCESS

The Tasting Panel celebrates Freixenet’s Centennial in their July issue. Vice President of Marketing, Eva Bertran and winemaker Pedro Ferrer are featured to highlight the past 100 years of Freixenet success.

95 POINTS

BEST BUY

"Dry apple and crisp citrus aromas come with a touch of sweet grass. It has lively lemon-lime and apple flavors, and it seems to have been dosed on the sweeter side of extra dry. Overall, it's fruity, friendly and likeable."

FEATURED

93 POINTS

"Royal Cuvee is one of Gloria Ferrer's prestige bottlings, meaning it is given extra attention in the cellar and extended aging to add complexity prior to disgorgement. The 2007 is beginning to show some of those mature fruit aromas that come with age, yet it maintains its youthful edge, with fresh acidity and bright fruit aromas. Secondary aromas of butterscotch and honey are beginning to emerge to compete with the note of fresh apple and pear of the wine's youth, but the result is a complexity that is as noteworthy as it is unusual in a New World sparkling wine."

BEST BUY, 88 POINTS

87 POINTS

"Fresh, clean nectarine and cantaloupe aromas provide an inviting entrance, which is followed by a vital palate that has mild orange and nectarine flavors which are slightly sweet and friendly. Smooth, light and not at all aggressive on the finish."

89 POINTS

88 POINTS

"Mineral, lime and crisp apple aromas give it a precise, pure nose. And that same character exists on the palate and finish, where white peach, green banana and melon flavors are full and forward. Shows good concentration and quality."

92 POINTS

91 POINTS

"Gloria Ferrer's 2005 dry Chardonnay and Pinot Noir were both really good, so why shouldn't this bubbly blend of them be? And so it is. Rich in raspberry, lime, vanilla cream, yeast and cinnamon spice flavors, it has a complex, silky texture, with very fine bubbles. Drink now."

BEST BUY

"Nectarine and orange peel are the lead aromas on this everyday, entirely serviceable Cava. A fresh, juicy, citrusy mouthfeel creats a nest for citrus flavors, grapefruit and orange in particular, to do their thing before finishing slightly bitter and pithy."

89 POINTS

90 POINTS

"This isn't complex, but something about its sweet, sunny fruit and gentle precision feels properly Californian. The texture is soft and polished, lasting on a clean chamomile scent that will keep you coming back for more."

COVER FEATURE

"Soft and pleasing, with aromas of peach blossom, Anjou pear, light lemon, and a touch of nuts. Citrus and green apple on the palate, with a creamy texture and good acid balance. Deliciously fresh and lively. Salmon terrine."

FEATURED

"Look for red fruit; a beginning, middle, and end; and even some tannins. It doesn't taste New World, with a little darkness, but don't expect something very Spanish like Aldi’s Vina Decana. And people who don’t like red wine may well still enjoy it."View article

BEST BUY, 88 POINTS

BEST BUY, 88 POINTS

"Clean and stylish, with hints of ginger ale and citrus on the nose. Good in terms of texture and flavors, with citrus and juicy nectarine working the palate. Focused and fairly long on the finish, with depth and integrity. Sweet in the extra dry style, but not candied or artificially sugared."

BEST OF CLASS

90 POINTS

"Smells a little sweet but has all the Prosecco details. Pear fruit, flowers, a touch of apple core, some mineral hints and a touch of ginseng. A bit coarse in the mouth, but not terribly effervescent, which makes this friendly and easy to drink. The fruit is bright with lime and pineapple accents to the core of pear which is lightly etched with mineral. More pear skin on the finish is joined with by a hint of herb and ginseng. This is all I want from a Prosecco."

FEATURED

"It's made with the same grapes that cava is made from, and tastes mostly like cava without the bubbles — some lemon with a bit of tartness (like a lemon square minus the sugar?)...But it's clean and refreshing and it doesn't have any flaws, and it only costs $5. How many other wines at that price can you say that about?"View article

92 POINTS

"Made primarily from Pinot Noir with a little Chardonnay, this has a subtle color of the first blush on a peach, and is fragrant and delicious. The fruit flavors of raspberries and cherries have a lime tinge, and the finish is dry and impressively long. Really easy to like, just filled with charm and finesse."

SUMMER SPARKLER

"The result is a sparkling wine with a creamy texture and plenty of finesse, with pretty tropical fruit tones and a clean, dry finish. If you’re grilling chicken or fish, this is the wine for you."View Article

92 POINTS

FEATURED

“This bright red surprises with pretty aromatics, spice on the palate, and an overall high enjoyment index. Balanced and clean, this will be making repeat appearances on our dinner table.” View article

88 POINTS

BEST BUY

"Clean, fruity and solid smelling, with a fresh, lightweight palate housing flavors of ginger, lime, lemongrass and powdered sugar. Easy on the finish. Textbook quaffing Cava if you like it a little sweet."

COVER FEATURE

"Soft and pleasing, with aromas of peach blossom, Anjou pear, light lemon, and a touch of nuts. Citrus and green apple on the palate, with a creamy texture and good acid balance. Deliciously fresh and lively. Salmon terrine."

RECOMMENDED

Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine Magazine, Ray Isle, recommends Excelencia Kosher Brut for Passover and described it as "very Champagne-like". It is the first wine featured in this segment on the Today Show. Watch Video

91 POINTS

TOP WINERIES OF SONOMA

"A seat with a view. That’s the best way to describe Gloria Ferrer, where every seat outside has a panoramic view of the vineyards. Gloria Ferrer is not the first sparkling wine house in Sonoma, but it was the first to plant Champagne clones. For a clean and fresh sparkling wine try the Royal Cuvee Brut. Before taking your seat to enjoy the tasting, buy a charcuterie and cheese plate. The options are endless."

92 POINTS

"The idea behind a non-vintage sparkling wine is consistency - blending lots across three or four vintages to maintain a particular style. Gloria Ferrer is getting a track record for their whole line of multi-year bubblies, scoring big medals and special awards at competitions across the USA. There's no tarnish on the record with this Blanc de Blancs, which shows apple, lemon, scouring acidity, fine effervescence and a long crisp finish."

88 POINTS

“The Brut is refreshing with hints of herbs and citrus. It’s clean and lightly flavored with a dry finish. It would pair nicely with oysters or simply prepared fish. It would also serve as a great base for a sparkling kir or mimosa.”

91 POINTS

"Their top cuvee, the 2004 Sparkling Carneros Cuvee Late Disgorged, which comes in a special bottle, is now 12 years of age and offers persistent effervescence even after nine years on its lees. This has more creme brulee, honeysuckle and brioche notes, is medium to full-bodied, shows a slightly deeper color and cuts a broader swath. It is an outstanding sparkling wine. Drink it over the next few years."

FEATURED

The Electric Llama blog posted an interview with winemaker Gloria Collell during the Mia distributors presentation in Washington, DC. Photos of Gloria, the wines, and the event are featured. View Article

88 POINTS

"Floral, citrus, honey, and bread dough aromas are even-tempered and fairly attractive. Citrus and tart peach start the palate with a touch of bread dough, and later melon and lime come into the picture. This is quite refreshing, well made, and brighter than your typical Cava. For the price, it certainly meets expectations and would be great to sip on the deck in the summer or on a balcony overlooking the sea."

RECOMMENDED

PATIO POUNDERS - RED WINES FOR SUMMER
"Rene Barbier Mediterranean Red Wine is a blend of Tempranillo and Merlot, and due to its spicy notes would be great with take-out pizza or pizza on the grill. A hint of licorice on the finish as well as vanilla laced with black fruit makes it a soft, approachable wine."

#8 IMPORTED SPARKLING WINE

"Fresh and full of lime on the nose, and overall this is simple, smooth and gives you little reason to worry or fuss. The palate is smooth,creamy and a little low on acids, thus the lemon-lime and melon flavors have a fullness that's sweet and good."

92 POINTS

WINE OF THE WEEK

87 POINTS

"Dusty aromas of apple and mild yeast form the bouquet on this traditional Cava. In the mouth, it’s frothy and foamy on contact, while the flavors veer from peppery and dry to apple and citrus. This finishes nice and peppery, with proper dryness for a brut sparkler."

FEATURED

"Opens with stone fruit, apple and floral aromas that expand nicely into melon and citrus flavors. Made solely from the Macabeo grape, this would make a worthy candidate for the first of the four cups at the seder."

FEATURED

RECOMMENDED

"Most people see the pastel-colored label of an empty beach chair and the $6 price tag and refuse to buy it. But I have blind-served this to dozens of people who love it for its clean, unpretentious summer attitude...perfect for poolsides or garden parties."

"All of us, pretty much all of the time, are looking for a decent quaffing red for that mid-week spaghetti Bolognese, sausages and mash or stir-fry. Here is the kind of wine that satisfies that need. It's what the Murray Darling does best: an uncomplicated, light- to medium-bodied shiraz with satisfying flavors. The 2010 is my pick of the Deakin Estate shiraz of the past decade so the quality's there."

FEATURED

RECOMMENDED

"Opens with stone fruit, apple and floral aromas that expand nicely into melon and citrus flavors. Made solely from the Macabeo grape, this would make a worthy candidate for the first of the four cups at the seder."

FEATURED

"Freixenet recently introduced a Kosher version, Excelencia Brut, and built winery just to make it, to avoid contamination from the non-Kosher world. Many Kosher wines have a stigma of inferiority, but to me, Excelencia is significantly more flavorful...fresh with a ripe apple flavor."

FEATURED

90 POINTS

Best of the Year
"Shy aromas of crisp yellow apple and brown sugar follow up on the palate, with compelling hints of orange blossom along the way. Quaffable and likable, it’s made from 100% Chardonnay and finishes mellow and refined."

RECOMMENDED

"The Rene Barbier White is just the ticket for a hot summer's day. Sitting by the pool or a picnic under a shady tree, the Mediterranean White is adult lemonade, crisp and thirst quenching and not too heavy on the alcohol." View Article

93 POINTS, CRITICS GOLD

90 POINTS

"With steely acidity and at the same time mouth-filling richness, the Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Blanc is an inviting bubbly that has that rarest of qualities. It is easy to drink as an aperitif, but has the body and weight to take on complex cuisine. On the palate the blanc de blancs shows hints of lemon creme and pear and a hint of pie spice. Delicious with food or without."

RECOMMENDED

BEST BUY, 87 POINTS

"Simple, light strawberry aromas form a good opening. The palate is juicy and bright, with citrus and nectarine flavors. There's nothing complicated or overreaching here; it's easygoing, clean and finishes with pepper and brown sugar."

RECOMMENDED

91 POINTS

"Light salmon color in the glass. Inviting aromas and flavors of strawberry, cherry and red currant. Plenty of fruit intensity and zip to satisfy, with a creamy mouth feel and a tight, dry, mouthwatering finish."

RECOMMENDED

"The wine is a prime example of what makes Prosecco so popular...This wine is given to fruit forward freshness and balanced elegance. Aromatics of white flowers and green apple and outstanding mousse or bubbles. The flavors offer hints of white peach, apricot and lots of creaminess but a great bright acidity that brings balance."View Article

FEATURED

FEATURED

"Freixenet USA is releasing a new line of Barcelona-inspired wines in the U.S. beginning next month. The Mia line includes five wines…which showcase native grapes like Tempranillo and Macabeo while embodying ‘the vibrancy of the Barcelona lifestyle’ were developed in collaboration with Spanish winemaker Gloria Collell, who has worked with Freixenet-owned wineries for 20 years."View Article

90 POINTS

"Scintillating, lively and fresh, the sparkling wine bursts with green apple and pear at its core, and finishes toasty with a hint of grass and garden herbs."

The Corkscrew Report,
March 2015

Select Review

91 POINTS

"Voluptuous and rich, with bold aromas of lemon tart, cinnamon and fresh ginger that open to soft, layered flavors that suggest a good tiramisu. This could use a hint more crisp acidity, but hard to complain. DRink now through 2014."

FEATURED

Gloria Ferrer is featured "Stars of California Sparkling Wine" in the June 2014 issue of Wine Spectator, and a photo of the Gloria Ferrer terrace is featured prominently above the headline. Anniversary Cuvée and VA de VI are both mentioned in the article.

RECOMMENDED

"Sparkling wines tend to be some of the most food-friendly, celebration-worthy wines around, and this Kosher Brut from Freixenet is no exception...this bubbly brings lovely floral aromas, lively acidity, and a balanced apple-laden palate profile make this a top wine pick for Kosher wine adventurers."

RECOMMENDED

CAVA WITH DISTINCTION

"The holidays are coming up - that's reason enough to break out more sparkling. Crafted from Macabeo and Parellada, this well-aged Metodo Tradicional (Methode Champenoise) offers surprising complexity and depth - enough to win over those who perhaps find cava a little too undemanding. Gold-tinged, with ripe green citrus and apple notes accented with light toast and smoke. Distinctly heavier than the average cava, the taste still displays bright acidity, with a dry, ample mineral finish. Calls for some roasted chicken, and the pewter-accented bottle also adds a little drama."

90 POINTS

"Pale straw yellow color with a fine bead in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of fresh apple and pear. The flavors of green apple, pear, Meyer lemon and white peach are satisfyingly bright. Slightly creamy on the palate, with a crisp, dry, mineral-imbued, soprano finish."

DOUBLE GOLD

IMPORTED VALUE BRANDS

"Hits all the right notes and then bows out gracefully. What a Mediterranean wine is all about, easy to drink, easy to enjoy, and not aggressively seeking attention. René Barbier - a name which consumers can rely on for a remarkable quality-price relation."

90 POINTS

Another stunner from Gloria Ferrer. This 100% Chardonnay sparkler opens up with notes of blood orange, kumquats, pink guavas, honeyed citrus fruit, and hints of lychee fruit. From the front of the palate to the finish, this sparkler leaves nothing at the table. The finish is medium to long, displaying ripe citrus fruits and a clean finish.

FEATURED

Erin Zimmer from Serious Eats wrote about the July press trip. The slideshow includes photos of Morlanda winery, Fra Guerau estate and Freixenet Headquarters. View Article

SeriousEat.com,
August 2011

Select Review

IMPORTED VALUE BRANDS

"Nonchalant simplicity. What a Mediterranean wine is all about, easy to drink, easy to enjoy, and not aggressively seeking attention. Rene Barbier - a name which consumers can rely on for a remarkable quality-price relation."

RECOMMENDED

WINERY OF THE YEAR

"Each year, our panels and critics blind taste more than 12,000 wines, to present the most compelling wines to our readers. We recognize brands with the most consistent performance and the highest scores as our Top 100 Wineries of the Year. Gloria Ferrer's range of exceptional wines makes it a great ambassador for Sonoma County."

TOP KOSHER WINE

The New York Jewish Week describes Freixenet Excelencia Kosher Brut as a "new Kosher wine worth seeking out", named it a "Top Kosher White under $18". Out of the three Kosher cavas that Fruit of the Vine tasted, "Freixenet's Excelencia Kosher Cava Brut was the best one."

"Fresh, fragrant, and redolent of citrus blossoms on the nose, this differs from the typical wheaty, grain-dominated Cava normally available in this price range…bright, easy going, easy to enjoy, and just plain tasty."

FEATURED

"Freixenet, Spain's well-known sparkling wine house, has debuted a special kosher cava to join its line of méthode champenoise sparkling wines. Excelencia Kosher Brut is Freixenet's first kosher offering available in several markets throughout the U.S., in time for year's Passover celebration. The traditional cava is a crisp, versatile sparkler that pairs well with a variety of foods."

"Very floral and citrussy on the nose with a spicy lemongrass top note and some deep baked peach and almond base notes. A little coarsely textured, this delivers fairly rich orange and apricot tinged flavors of minerally citrus fruits. Showing a hint of sweetness on the back end, this finishes quite assertively dry with an earthy edge to some pear skin notes. A bit rustic yet attractive."

90 POINTS, GOLD MEDAL

BEST OF CLASS

VALUE VARIETALS

"...the winemakers at Rene Barbier blended an inexpensive Mediterranean Red and Mediterranean White that hit all the right notes and then bow out gracefully...They are what a Mediterranean wine is all about, easy to drink, easy to enjoy, and not aggressively seeking attention...it takes enormous sophistication on the part of a wine company to create and maintain a national brand like Rene Barbier - a name which consumers can rely on for a remarkable quality-price relation."

TOP 10 KOSHER WINES

"Excelencia Kosher Brut...is the winery's newest and only kosher offering. Made entirely from the Macabeo grape, the Excelencia features green apple and pear flavors with floral notes and a crisp, refreshing mouthfeel."

2016 GOLD MEDALS

Best of Class - San Francisco International Wine CompetitionGold Medal - Winemaker's ChallengeBest Sparkling, Double Gold Medal - Monterey Wine CompetitionGold Medal, Best of Class, Best Sparkling - North of the Gate CompetitionGold Medal, Best of Class, Best of Show Sparkling - Dan Berger International Wine CompetitionDouble Gold Medal, Best of Show Sparkling, Best of Class - California State FairGold Medal - Orange County Wine CompetitionGold Medal - San Diego International CompetitionDouble Gold Medal - Women's International Wine Competition

50 BEST VALUES OF THE YEAR

"Sweet roasted pepper aromas blend with American oak character, and follow in the mouth. There's a roasted ripeness to the fruit, though it retains a touch of berry-like freshness. Serve this at cellar temperature on warm summer evenings...with most anything off the grill."

“Very aromatic, smelling this is like sticking your nose in a fresh bouquet of flowers placed next to a juicy, just-sliced summer peach…Overall a refreshing and very expressive wine that delivers for its price point.”

TOP 100 WINES OF 2012

RECOMMENDED

"Macabeo grapes are selected for this cuvee of delightful complexity, boasting aromas of ripe pear and green apple with crisp acidity on the palate, balancing long and elegant fruity and floral notes."

NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH

"Freixenet USA launched a new kosher sparkling wine this month. Excelencia Kosher Brut is a special Cava made with Macabeo grapes. Freixenet's only kosher offering, the wine is available in eight states."

FEATURED

EXPLORING SONOMA

"You'll know you're on vacation when you find yourself sitting on a deck overlooking Carneros, relaxing with a glass of Gloria Ferrer bubbly in your hand. Before you do that, however, check out the $10 guided tour and tasting that takes you behind the scenes, giving you the winery's history, an instructive look at sparkling-wine production and a peek into Gloria Ferrer's vast caves."

NEW KOSHER OFFERING

"Billed as a special Kosher cava made with Macabeo grapes...targeted toward the Kosher-for-Passover occasion, with roll out across New York, New Jersey, Florida, Illinois, California, Texas, Georgia, and Massachusetts."

PIVOTAL WINERY

ONE OF THE WORLD'S MOST PIVOTAL WINERIES
"Spanish wine maven Jose Ferrer founded this lovely estate in Sonoma in 1986, naming it after his wife, Gloria. Its success somewhat vindicates the failed attempt by Jose's father to locate vineyard property in New Jersey in the 1930's. The estate vineyards are heavily planted to Pinot Noir, which often takes the lead role in the finest wines, such as the Royal Cuvee."

FEATURED

RECOMMENDED

"From Friuli, Italy comes a Prosecco so bubbly and crisp, you might be tempted to start breaking it out at midnight every night. You'll get delicious flavors like apple, pear, and peach from this light sparkler." View article

"Voveti Prosecco is cosmopolitan. This one is for the hottest party at the hottest club. It is trendy yet sophisticated with notes of lemon, orange blossoms, peach, wheat and touch of vanilla. Voveti is another dry sparkler but very fresh." View article

RECOMMENDED

FEATURED

"...fresh and brimming with delicate aromas and flavors of spring flowers, crispy apple, citrus and a hint of almond. The mousse is gentle and creamy, yet it shows vibrancy as the bubbles dance gracefully across your palate. The length is fairly persistent and it is very refreshing on the finish...delightful to sip as an apéritif while nibbling away at some almonds or cashews, but it is also lovely with cured meats such as Prosciutto di Parma, simply prepared seafood such as squid, clams or shrimp or even some lightly spicy Asian dishes."

RECOMMENDED

"Experience, dedication and outstanding fruit have created Voveti, an elegant, vibrant and luscious sparkler with flavors of green apple, honeydew melon and citrus with just a hint of peaches and cream on the finish."

RECOMMENDED

RECOMMENDED

"A new wine on the market, this Prosecco is an ideal pick for gift-giving with its black-bottle beauty. The wine is soft and creamy with a fruity edge, making it ideal to serve alone as an aperitif or with spicy dishes." View Article

FEATURED

FEATURED

"...fresh and brimming with delicate aromas and flavors of spring flowers, crispy apple, citrus and a hint of almond. The mousse is gentle and creamy, yet it shows vibrancy as the bubbles dance gracefully across your palate. The length is fairly persistent and it is very refreshing on the finish...delightful to sip as an aperitif while nibbling away at some almonds or cashews, but it is also lovely with cured meats such as Prosciutto di Parma, simply prepared seafood such as squid, clams or shrimp or even some lightly spicy Asian dishes." View Article

RECOMMENDED

RECOMMENDED

"Experience, dedication and outstanding fruit have created Voveti, an elegant, vibrant and luscious sparkler with flavors of green apple, honeydew melon and citrus with just a hint of peaches and cream on the finish." View Article

RECOMMENDED

RECOMMENDED

"Both family run wineries teamed together to create a sparkler that is sophisticated and with great finesse, focusing on the freshness and vibrancy great Prosecco is known for. Crafted with entertaining in mind, this is an ideal apperitif filled with golden apple, ripe peach and honeydew with a creamy texture and frothy mousse, and of course, lots of tiny bubbles." View Article

RECOMMENDED

"Voveti Prosecco is cosmopolitan. This one is for the hottest party at the hottest club. It is trendy yet sophisticated with notes of lemon, orange blossoms, peach, wheat and touch of vanilla. Voveti is another dry sparkler but very fresh." View Article

RECOMMENDED

FEATURED

"Just look at the picture of this bottle! Doesn't it scream DATE NIGHT! It's so sleek and sexy that it makes you want to pop it open and pour a glass....the tiny, pinpoint-like bubbles are what makes this wine so exciting." View Article

FEATURED

FEATURED

"On both the nose and the palate, the wine showed heavy citrus notes of lemon, lime and green apple, strong floral components (think daisies and white flowers) and a slight mineral note on the finish. Another strong characteristic on the palate was the racing acidity. This wine was crisp and bright, a perfect match for prosciutto, seafood, olives and nuts." View Article

90 POINTS

“This new offering from the sparkling wine producer reveals strongly crafted layers of creamy apple pie, crème brûlée and toasty oak flavors. Made in a full-bodied, concentrated style, it doesn't hold back on its spicy acidity and lemony finish.”

90 POINTS

"The 2015 Carneros Chardonnay has notes of lemon pie, pink grapefruit and green mango with touches of honeyed toast and allspice. Medium-bodied, the palate is understated and savory, with a good amount of citrus fruit and spice notes, finishing long and lively."

12 WINES TO TRY THIS SUMMER

"Mia White is a young, fruity wine made from a blend of Macabeo, Xarello and Parallada with a touch of MOscatel grapes. With a bright, straw color and an aroma reminiscent of apples, pears and bananas, the wine is refreshing, fruity and light with hints of honey and orange blossom on the finish. Pair it with manchego cheese, salads, grilled chicken or even spicy Thai food."Click here to view article

92 POINTS

"Savory black cherry flavors and dark chocolate tannins give this a classical Coonawarra profile. It’s not green or vigorous, though the aroma carries a hint of mint and persimmon. Those notes add nuance and earthy textural detail, making this an elegant cabernet for lamb."

95 POINTS

WINNER

"Best Bargain. Two-Time Wine Trials Selection. This wine is particularly impressive for its price: while it showed Champagne-like characteristics last year, this year it managed to pump up its fruit flavors without losing its deliciously fresh acidic character."

FEATURED

"It's made with the same grapes that cava is made from, and tastes mostly like cava without the bubbles — some lemon with a bit of tartness (like a lemon square minus the sugar?)...But it's clean and refreshing and it doesn't have any flaws, and it only costs $5. How many other wines at that price can you say that about?"View article

RECOMMENDED

"Most people see the pastel-colored label of an empty beach chair and the $6 price tag and refuse to buy it. But I have blind-served this to dozens of people who love it for its clean, unpretentious summer attitude...perfect for poolsides or garden parties."

FEATURED

RECOMMENDED

"The Rene Barbier White is just the ticket for a hot summer's day. Sitting by the pool or a picnic under a shady tree, the Mediterranean White is adult lemonade, crisp and thirst quenching and not too heavy on the alcohol." View Article

RECOMMENDED

IMPORTED VALUE BRANDS

"Hits all the right notes and then bows out gracefully. What a Mediterranean wine is all about, easy to drink, easy to enjoy, and not aggressively seeking attention. René Barbier - a name which consumers can rely on for a remarkable quality-price relation."

INTERNATIONAL WINERIES OF THE YEAR

92 POINTS

"This newly released still wine...is a successful first effort, blending bright cherry, strawberry and tangly blood orange flavors. With an earthy hint of compost and forest, it celebrates the variety in all its glory, upholding its acidity beneath a weight of richness."

90 POINTS

“Pale to med ruby-purple colored, the 2014 Pinot Noir WindVane Reserve has aromas of red cherries, raspberries and garrigue with wafts of wild thyme and lavender. The medium to full-bodied palate offers lovely purity with a great core of fruit and a soft slippery texture, finishing with very good persistence.”

87 POINTS, BEST BUY

87 POINTS, BEST BUY

"Grassy lemon-lime aromas are alert and bright. A fresh, fruity palate is home to mild apple, pear and lees flavors. On the finish, this Cava is lasting, steady and ordinary in a welcome, textbook way."

88 POINTS

“The Brut is refreshing with hints of herbs and citrus. It’s clean and lightly flavored with a dry finish. It would pair nicely with oysters or simply prepared fish. It would also serve as a great base for a sparkling kir or mimosa.”

TOP 100 BEST BUYS

"Simple, nice and not trying too hard; this basic brut is graced with nice apple and citrus aromas. The palate is wet, juicy and classic, with crisp apple, green herb and melon flavors. Round, clean and just crisp enough."

95 POINTS - PLATINUM WINNER

GOLD STAR RATING

"Light and effervescent, with sweet floral and ripe stone fruit and citrus aromas over floral and mineral notes. Fresh on the palate, showing pear, nectarine, and ripe cantaloupe. Clean and fresh finish. Great by the glass."

COVER FEATURE

"Soft and pleasing, with aromas of peach blossom, Anjou pear, light lemon, and a touch of nuts. Citrus and green apple on the palate, with a creamy texture and good acid balance. Deliciously fresh and lively. Salmon terrine."

90 POINTS

"Smells a little sweet but has all the Prosecco details. Pear fruit, flowers, a touch of apple core, some mineral hints and a touch of ginseng. A bit coarse in the mouth, but not terribly effervescent, which makes this friendly and easy to drink. The fruit is bright with lime and pineapple accents to the core of pear which is lightly etched with mineral. More pear skin on the finish is joined with by a hint of herb and ginseng. This is all I want from a Prosecco."

RECOMMENDED

"The wine is a prime example of what makes Prosecco so popular...This wine is given to fruit forward freshness and balanced elegance. Aromatics of white flowers and green apple and outstanding mousse or bubbles. The flavors offer hints of white peach, apricot and lots of creaminess but a great bright acidity that brings balance."View Article

RECOMMENDED

"Very floral and citrussy on the nose with a spicy lemongrass top note and some deep baked peach and almond base notes. A little coarsely textured, this delivers fairly rich orange and apricot tinged flavors of minerally citrus fruits. Showing a hint of sweetness on the back end, this finishes quite assertively dry with an earthy edge to some pear skin notes. A bit rustic yet attractive."

“Very aromatic, smelling this is like sticking your nose in a fresh bouquet of flowers placed next to a juicy, just-sliced summer peach…Overall a refreshing and very expressive wine that delivers for its price point.”

RECOMMENDED

RECOMMENDED

"From Friuli, Italy comes a Prosecco so bubbly and crisp, you might be tempted to start breaking it out at midnight every night. You'll get delicious flavors like apple, pear, and peach from this light sparkler." View article

"Voveti Prosecco is cosmopolitan. This one is for the hottest party at the hottest club. It is trendy yet sophisticated with notes of lemon, orange blossoms, peach, wheat and touch of vanilla. Voveti is another dry sparkler but very fresh." View article

RECOMMENDED

FEATURED

"...fresh and brimming with delicate aromas and flavors of spring flowers, crispy apple, citrus and a hint of almond. The mousse is gentle and creamy, yet it shows vibrancy as the bubbles dance gracefully across your palate. The length is fairly persistent and it is very refreshing on the finish...delightful to sip as an apéritif while nibbling away at some almonds or cashews, but it is also lovely with cured meats such as Prosciutto di Parma, simply prepared seafood such as squid, clams or shrimp or even some lightly spicy Asian dishes."

RECOMMENDED

"Experience, dedication and outstanding fruit have created Voveti, an elegant, vibrant and luscious sparkler with flavors of green apple, honeydew melon and citrus with just a hint of peaches and cream on the finish."

RECOMMENDED

RECOMMENDED

"A new wine on the market, this Prosecco is an ideal pick for gift-giving with its black-bottle beauty. The wine is soft and creamy with a fruity edge, making it ideal to serve alone as an aperitif or with spicy dishes." View Article

FEATURED

FEATURED

"...fresh and brimming with delicate aromas and flavors of spring flowers, crispy apple, citrus and a hint of almond. The mousse is gentle and creamy, yet it shows vibrancy as the bubbles dance gracefully across your palate. The length is fairly persistent and it is very refreshing on the finish...delightful to sip as an aperitif while nibbling away at some almonds or cashews, but it is also lovely with cured meats such as Prosciutto di Parma, simply prepared seafood such as squid, clams or shrimp or even some lightly spicy Asian dishes." View Article

RECOMMENDED

RECOMMENDED

"Experience, dedication and outstanding fruit have created Voveti, an elegant, vibrant and luscious sparkler with flavors of green apple, honeydew melon and citrus with just a hint of peaches and cream on the finish." View Article

RECOMMENDED

RECOMMENDED

"Both family run wineries teamed together to create a sparkler that is sophisticated and with great finesse, focusing on the freshness and vibrancy great Prosecco is known for. Crafted with entertaining in mind, this is an ideal apperitif filled with golden apple, ripe peach and honeydew with a creamy texture and frothy mousse, and of course, lots of tiny bubbles." View Article

RECOMMENDED

"Voveti Prosecco is cosmopolitan. This one is for the hottest party at the hottest club. It is trendy yet sophisticated with notes of lemon, orange blossoms, peach, wheat and touch of vanilla. Voveti is another dry sparkler but very fresh." View Article

RECOMMENDED

FEATURED

"Just look at the picture of this bottle! Doesn't it scream DATE NIGHT! It's so sleek and sexy that it makes you want to pop it open and pour a glass....the tiny, pinpoint-like bubbles are what makes this wine so exciting." View Article

FEATURED

FEATURED

"On both the nose and the palate, the wine showed heavy citrus notes of lemon, lime and green apple, strong floral components (think daisies and white flowers) and a slight mineral note on the finish. Another strong characteristic on the palate was the racing acidity. This wine was crisp and bright, a perfect match for prosciutto, seafood, olives and nuts." View Article

RECOMMENDED

RECOMMENDED FOR THE HOLIDAYS

"This wine is just easy and fun... this one comes from central Spain and has all the juicy, fruity notes you expect out of a Tempranillo, while being a bit lighter and fresher on the palate... this wine is easy drinking and great for sipping... the perfect wine to use when making red Sangria."

WINE OF THE WEEK

"Expect to find plenty of ripe red fruit, think cherry and raspberry, on the nose with a touch of earth and wisp of spice playing in the background...This wine is priced and poised to be an easy-going everyday wine, perfect for pairing with everything from pizza to burgers and spaghetti to Eggplant Parmesan."View Article

92 POINTS

"Cabernet with its dancing shoes on. This is an enjoyable wine to be around. It's fleet-footed, almost frisky, with boysenberry and violets, blackcurrant and bay leaf notes washing fleshily through the palate."

91 POINTS, PUBLISHER'S PICKS

"The name references John Riddoch, founder of Coonawarra, a small region in South Australia known for its porous red, clay-over-limestone soils. Cabernet is heralded here for its structure, and this wine tasted like one three times its retail price. This expressive deep red speaks of spearmint and chaparral, with smacking blackberry that rounds out its rustic tannins and a spicy mid-palate."

BEST BUY

"Dry, lightweight and peppery, but zesty, fresh and clean. The body is streamlined to the point of being lean, but the raspberry and cherry flavors...are crisp and legit. Tart, tasty and simple red wine."

FEATURED

"Look for red fruit; a beginning, middle, and end; and even some tannins. It doesn't taste New World, with a little darkness, but don't expect something very Spanish like Aldi’s Vina Decana. And people who don’t like red wine may well still enjoy it."View article

FEATURED

“This bright red surprises with pretty aromatics, spice on the palate, and an overall high enjoyment index. Balanced and clean, this will be making repeat appearances on our dinner table.” View article

RECOMMENDED

PATIO POUNDERS - RED WINES FOR SUMMER
"Rene Barbier Mediterranean Red Wine is a blend of Tempranillo and Merlot, and due to its spicy notes would be great with take-out pizza or pizza on the grill. A hint of licorice on the finish as well as vanilla laced with black fruit makes it a soft, approachable wine."

BEST BUY

IMPORTED VALUE BRANDS

"Nonchalant simplicity. What a Mediterranean wine is all about, easy to drink, easy to enjoy, and not aggressively seeking attention. Rene Barbier - a name which consumers can rely on for a remarkable quality-price relation."

VALUE VARIETALS

"...the winemakers at Rene Barbier blended an inexpensive Mediterranean Red and Mediterranean White that hit all the right notes and then bow out gracefully...They are what a Mediterranean wine is all about, easy to drink, easy to enjoy, and not aggressively seeking attention...it takes enormous sophistication on the part of a wine company to create and maintain a national brand like Rene Barbier - a name which consumers can rely on for a remarkable quality-price relation."

50 BEST VALUES OF THE YEAR

"Sweet roasted pepper aromas blend with American oak character, and follow in the mouth. There's a roasted ripeness to the fruit, though it retains a touch of berry-like freshness. Serve this at cellar temperature on warm summer evenings...with most anything off the grill."

86 POINTS, BEST BUY

“Bold and juicy passion fruit scents combine with the flinty, rubber-meets-the-road reduction character typical of Cava. This is rich and round, finishing clean. Chill it for grilled calamares and other tapas.”

87 POINTS

“Cordon Negro is perhaps the single best selling Cava in America. It’s clean and vibrant with a very dry mouth feel. This is a value wine that offers a pleasant sparkling wine for a very reasonable price.”

BEST BUY, 87 POINTS

"Freixenet’s signature Cava is consistent and pure as usual, with aromas of white fruit and white pepper and an overall freshness on the nose. It feels crisp and focused, with a foamy palate that brings apple, lime, peach and spice flavors. The finish is smooth."

TOP 100 BEST BUYS

BEST BUY

"Dry apple and crisp citrus aromas come with a touch of sweet grass. It has lively lemon-lime and apple flavors, and it seems to have been dosed on the sweeter side of extra dry. Overall, it's fruity, friendly and likeable."

BEST BUY

BEST BUY

"Clean, fruity and solid smelling, with a fresh, lightweight palate housing flavors of ginger, lime, lemongrass and powdered sugar. Easy on the finish. Textbook quaffing Cava if you like it a little sweet."

BEST BUY

"Fresh and full of lime on the nose, and overall this is simple, smooth and gives you little reason to worry or fuss. The palate is smooth,creamy and a little low on acids, thus the lemon-lime and melon flavors have a fullness that's sweet and good."

90 POINTS

"Youthfully intense and massive, this is amped up with oak and huge amounts of tannic extract. While those tannins are tough, there's cassis flavor driving through the wine, needing bottle age to fully emerge."

91 POINTS, EDITORS' CHOICE

“More full-bodied than the winery’s brut, this Pinot Noir-based bubbly also is richer. It’s just beautiful in raspberries and strawberries, with brighter touches of lime, and although the wine
has a honeyed sweetness, its zesty acidity makes it finish dry.”

90 POINTS

"This isn't complex, but something about its sweet, sunny fruit and gentle precision feels properly Californian. The texture is soft and polished, lasting on a clean chamomile scent that will keep you coming back for more."

94 POINTS

93 POINTS, CRITICS GOLD

91 POINTS

"Light salmon color in the glass. Inviting aromas and flavors of strawberry, cherry and red currant. Plenty of fruit intensity and zip to satisfy, with a creamy mouth feel and a tight, dry, mouthwatering finish."

90 POINTS

90 POINTS, GOLD MEDAL

2016 GOLD MEDALS

Best of Class - San Francisco International Wine CompetitionGold Medal - Winemaker's ChallengeBest Sparkling, Double Gold Medal - Monterey Wine CompetitionGold Medal, Best of Class, Best Sparkling - North of the Gate CompetitionGold Medal, Best of Class, Best of Show Sparkling - Dan Berger International Wine CompetitionDouble Gold Medal, Best of Show Sparkling, Best of Class - California State FairGold Medal - Orange County Wine CompetitionGold Medal - San Diego International CompetitionDouble Gold Medal - Women's International Wine Competition

90 POINTS

"Light red-purple, bright and clear; the bouquet has fragrant red berry aromas, the light- to medium-bodied palate with similar fruit enhanced by fine but persistent tannins. Given an extra point for its freshness and elegance."

TOP SYRAH

“…well-balanced and fresh feeling with well-judged tannins and almost juicy acidity accentuating the core of plummy fruit. There's a lovely hint of spice here and again an herbal nuance on the palate that recalls the nose. With air the fruit gains some darker aspects but the appeal here for me is the freshness in the mouth and the decidedly medium-bodied feel. A nuance of toasty marshmallow appears on the back end and some gentle streaks of oak pop on the finish but the oak is well-used here. Easy drinking bistro styled wine.”

DAILY PICK

COMMENDED

"All of us, pretty much all of the time, are looking for a decent quaffing red for that mid-week spaghetti Bolognese, sausages and mash or stir-fry. Here is the kind of wine that satisfies that need. It's what the Murray Darling does best: an uncomplicated, light- to medium-bodied shiraz with satisfying flavors. The 2010 is my pick of the Deakin Estate shiraz of the past decade so the quality's there."

"Forward and direct up front, this has a yeasty but fresh apple aroma. It feels clean and ready, with lemon-lime and kiwi flavors that lead to a fresh finish. This is textbook Cava with some sweetness."

87 POINTS, BEST BUY

"Raspberry and red-plum aromas are light and a touch smoky. On the palate, this is fresh, juicy and driven by good acidity. Bright stone-fruit flavors blend with pie-cherry notes in front of a lasting citrusy finish."

BEST VALUE

88 POINTS

“Muted aromas of red berries. Very creamy on the attack with red berry and watermelon flavors, finishing on a long, slightly sweet fruit note. A very pleasant, easy drinking wine that would make a fine aperi­tif beverage. Excellent value.”

BEST BUY

"Nectarine and orange peel are the lead aromas on this everyday, entirely serviceable Cava. A fresh, juicy, citrusy mouthfeel creats a nest for citrus flavors, grapefruit and orange in particular, to do their thing before finishing slightly bitter and pithy."

BEST BUY, 87 POINTS

"Simple, light strawberry aromas form a good opening. The palate is juicy and bright, with citrus and nectarine flavors. There's nothing complicated or overreaching here; it's easygoing, clean and finishes with pepper and brown sugar."

TOP 10 SWEET SPARKLING WINES

"If the pleasing pink color isn't enough to get you into a sparkling mood, the tropical aroma and natural sweetness certainly is. Just try not to blush when the fresh and delicate finish tempts you like a late kiss at the end of the night." View article

RECOMMENDED

"If sweet sparkling wine is your thing, this Spanish Moscato is for you. Super-fragrant, the smell jumps out of the glass at you, intensely aromatic of summer flowers and fruit. Delicate and soft, this could be a good pairing with soft cheese." View article

TOP 10 SWEET SPARKLING WINES

"Don't let the dark business suit fool you - the Freixenet Cordon Negro Sweet Cuvée is about as sweet and sociable as they come. Aromas of fresh peaches and cream accompany abounding bubbles which make for one pleasant sparkler." View article

NEW RELEASE

"Spanish Cava brand Segura Viudas has debuted a new Gran Cuvée Reserva and updated the packaging across its line. The newest offering is a hand-harvested blend of Spain's Macabeo and Parellada grapes as well as Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, which is aged on the lees in the winery's subterranean caves."

91 POINTS

"The Gran Cuvee Reserva is a beautiful expression of Cava from Segura Viudas... It shows a floral nose with hints of spice, pear and apple. On the palate it is well balanced, creamy and fresh, with exceptional length and a crisp, clean finish. At this price one of the best values you are likely to find in top-notch sparkling wine."

92 POINTS

"A complex and heady cava that delivers on its richness without sweetness. Its potent depth of flavor has a smoky minerality and fresh apple-skin notes. This is full and meaty enough to serve with roast chicken or albondigas de ternera (veal meatballs)."

90 POINTS

“With its dusty mineral and leesy nose, the Heredad Reserva promises a lot, and it doesn’t disappoint. It’s clean, lively and richly flavored with a steely-citrus mid-palate and minerals appearing again on the finish. Simply fabulous for the price.”

87 POINTS

"Dusty aromas of apple and mild yeast form the bouquet on this traditional Cava. In the mouth, it’s frothy and foamy on contact, while the flavors veer from peppery and dry to apple and citrus. This finishes nice and peppery, with proper dryness for a brut sparkler."

RECOMMENDED

CAVA WITH DISTINCTION

"The holidays are coming up - that's reason enough to break out more sparkling. Crafted from Macabeo and Parellada, this well-aged Metodo Tradicional (Methode Champenoise) offers surprising complexity and depth - enough to win over those who perhaps find cava a little too undemanding. Gold-tinged, with ripe green citrus and apple notes accented with light toast and smoke. Distinctly heavier than the average cava, the taste still displays bright acidity, with a dry, ample mineral finish. Calls for some roasted chicken, and the pewter-accented bottle also adds a little drama."

"Fresh, fragrant, and redolent of citrus blossoms on the nose, this differs from the typical wheaty, grain-dominated Cava normally available in this price range…bright, easy going, easy to enjoy, and just plain tasty."

87 POINTS

“Attractive aromas of ripe strawberry, cinnamon and a hint of rhubarb. Fresh with clean flavors and the kind of sweet juice character that American consumers will especially like. Fruit forward with modest depth but superb at this price point. A flavorful blend of Trepat and Garnacha.”

91 POINTS

"Introduced by a lively, crisp mousse, this 100% Chardonnay sparkler is made méthode Champenoise, and dry. Highlights on the nose and palate include a nuttiness of hazelnut and almond, green apple and orange, with a lilt of lemon zest."

92 POINTS

"The idea behind a non-vintage sparkling wine is consistency - blending lots across three or four vintages to maintain a particular style. Gloria Ferrer is getting a track record for their whole line of multi-year bubblies, scoring big medals and special awards at competitions across the USA. There's no tarnish on the record with this Blanc de Blancs, which shows apple, lemon, scouring acidity, fine effervescence and a long crisp finish."

90 POINTS

Best of the Year
"Shy aromas of crisp yellow apple and brown sugar follow up on the palate, with compelling hints of orange blossom along the way. Quaffable and likable, it’s made from 100% Chardonnay and finishes mellow and refined."

90 POINTS

"With steely acidity and at the same time mouth-filling richness, the Gloria Ferrer Blanc de Blanc is an inviting bubbly that has that rarest of qualities. It is easy to drink as an aperitif, but has the body and weight to take on complex cuisine. On the palate the blanc de blancs shows hints of lemon creme and pear and a hint of pie spice. Delicious with food or without."

90 POINTS

"Pale straw yellow color with a fine bead in the glass. Nicely perfumed with aromas of fresh apple and pear. The flavors of green apple, pear, Meyer lemon and white peach are satisfyingly bright. Slightly creamy on the palate, with a crisp, dry, mineral-imbued, soprano finish."

90 POINTS

Another stunner from Gloria Ferrer. This 100% Chardonnay sparkler opens up with notes of blood orange, kumquats, pink guavas, honeyed citrus fruit, and hints of lychee fruit. From the front of the palate to the finish, this sparkler leaves nothing at the table. The finish is medium to long, displaying ripe citrus fruits and a clean finish.

BEST BUY

“Dry, crisp and nice, this has white fruit aromas that are familiar and friendly. It comes across medium bodied, dusty and yeasty, with an apple accent and a vanilla flavor. The finish is lightly toasted and slightly briny.”

91 POINTS

"Doughy marzipan and shortbread cookie greet the nose and palate initially in this nicely inviting wine, made from a majority of Pinot Noir. Sweet succulent strawberry and peach dot a palate that's both luxurious and velvety, offering length and breadth within a refreshing continuum."

91 POINTS

"Doughy marzipan and shortbread cookie greet the nose and palate initially in this nicely inviting wine, made from a majority of Pinot Noir. Sweet succulent strawberry and peach dot a palate that's both luxurious and velvety, offering length and breadth within a refreshing continuum."

90 POINTS

91 POINTS

94 POINTS

"Always a fine California sparkler, the 2007 kicks it up a notch, with loads of brioche prevalent, having been aged sur-lie and not disgorged until 2015. That said, there's no shortage of bright apple and pear fruit, stony minerality, with a touch of quince rounding things out. I've loved every release of this bottling, and this might be the best of the lot. Well Done!"

93 POINTS

Best of the Year
"The later disgorging of this wine made from 67% Pinot Noir and 33% Chardonnay has given it a complexity of texture and flavor that’s compelling, an older golden-apple and dried apricot sensibility that’s intriguing on the nose and palate. Sizzling acidity makes for a crisp, dry wine, with lengthy finish."

93 POINTS

"Royal Cuvee is one of Gloria Ferrer's prestige bottlings, meaning it is given extra attention in the cellar and extended aging to add complexity prior to disgorgement. The 2007 is beginning to show some of those mature fruit aromas that come with age, yet it maintains its youthful edge, with fresh acidity and bright fruit aromas. Secondary aromas of butterscotch and honey are beginning to emerge to compete with the note of fresh apple and pear of the wine's youth, but the result is a complexity that is as noteworthy as it is unusual in a New World sparkling wine."

TOP 8 SPANISH SPARKLERS

88 POINTS

"Mineral, lime and crisp apple aromas give it a precise, pure nose. And that same character exists on the palate and finish, where white peach, green banana and melon flavors are full and forward. Shows good concentration and quality."

BEST BUY, 88 POINTS

SUMMER SPARKLER

"The result is a sparkling wine with a creamy texture and plenty of finesse, with pretty tropical fruit tones and a clean, dry finish. If you’re grilling chicken or fish, this is the wine for you."View Article

"Floral, citrus, honey, and bread dough aromas are even-tempered and fairly attractive. Citrus and tart peach start the palate with a touch of bread dough, and later melon and lime come into the picture. This is quite refreshing, well made, and brighter than your typical Cava. For the price, it certainly meets expectations and would be great to sip on the deck in the summer or on a balcony overlooking the sea."

BEST BUY, 87 POINTS

"For a sweet bubbly priced at $9, you can’t go wrong with Carta Nevada Semi Dry. This is smooth from nose to body to finish. Aromas of pear and banana are easy, while the palate keeps its poise and feel while dealing pear, mango and banana flavors. For a sugary sparkler this more than gets the job done."

RECOMMENDED

FEATURED

"Since Jewish celebrations call for bubbly, Spanish sparkling wine brand Freixenet introduced Excelencia Kosher Brut to the United States earlier this year. Freixenet projects sales of 1,000 cases in the United States in 2014, with growth to 5,000 cases expected over the next few years."

RECOMMENDED

Executive Wine Editor of Food & Wine Magazine, Ray Isle, recommends Excelencia Kosher Brut for Passover and described it as "very Champagne-like". It is the first wine featured in this segment on the Today Show. Watch Video

FEATURED

"Opens with stone fruit, apple and floral aromas that expand nicely into melon and citrus flavors. Made solely from the Macabeo grape, this would make a worthy candidate for the first of the four cups at the seder."

RECOMMENDED

"Opens with stone fruit, apple and floral aromas that expand nicely into melon and citrus flavors. Made solely from the Macabeo grape, this would make a worthy candidate for the first of the four cups at the seder."

FEATURED

"Freixenet recently introduced a Kosher version, Excelencia Brut, and built winery just to make it, to avoid contamination from the non-Kosher world. Many Kosher wines have a stigma of inferiority, but to me, Excelencia is significantly more flavorful...fresh with a ripe apple flavor."

RECOMMENDED

"Sparkling wines tend to be some of the most food-friendly, celebration-worthy wines around, and this Kosher Brut from Freixenet is no exception...this bubbly brings lovely floral aromas, lively acidity, and a balanced apple-laden palate profile make this a top wine pick for Kosher wine adventurers."

TOP KOSHER WINE

The New York Jewish Week describes Freixenet Excelencia Kosher Brut as a "new Kosher wine worth seeking out", named it a "Top Kosher White under $18". Out of the three Kosher cavas that Fruit of the Vine tasted, "Freixenet's Excelencia Kosher Cava Brut was the best one."

FEATURED

"Freixenet, Spain's well-known sparkling wine house, has debuted a special kosher cava to join its line of méthode champenoise sparkling wines. Excelencia Kosher Brut is Freixenet's first kosher offering available in several markets throughout the U.S., in time for year's Passover celebration. The traditional cava is a crisp, versatile sparkler that pairs well with a variety of foods."

TOP 10 KOSHER WINES

"Excelencia Kosher Brut...is the winery's newest and only kosher offering. Made entirely from the Macabeo grape, the Excelencia features green apple and pear flavors with floral notes and a crisp, refreshing mouthfeel."

RECOMMENDED

"Macabeo grapes are selected for this cuvee of delightful complexity, boasting aromas of ripe pear and green apple with crisp acidity on the palate, balancing long and elegant fruity and floral notes."

NEW PRODUCT LAUNCH

"Freixenet USA launched a new kosher sparkling wine this month. Excelencia Kosher Brut is a special Cava made with Macabeo grapes. Freixenet's only kosher offering, the wine is available in eight states."

NEW KOSHER OFFERING

"Billed as a special Kosher cava made with Macabeo grapes...targeted toward the Kosher-for-Passover occasion, with roll out across New York, New Jersey, Florida, Illinois, California, Texas, Georgia, and Massachusetts."

BEST BUY, 88 POINTS

BEST BUY, 88 POINTS

"Clean and stylish, with hints of ginger ale and citrus on the nose. Good in terms of texture and flavors, with citrus and juicy nectarine working the palate. Focused and fairly long on the finish, with depth and integrity. Sweet in the extra dry style, but not candied or artificially sugared."

88 POINTS

“Copper rose. A rosé Brut made from 100% Pinot Noir is unusual in the Cava appellation. This one is creamy smooth with ripe red fruit and notes of earth and dried herbs. Very easy and pleasant drinking.”

87 POINTS

"Fresh, clean nectarine and cantaloupe aromas provide an inviting entrance, which is followed by a vital palate that has mild orange and nectarine flavors which are slightly sweet and friendly. Smooth, light and not at all aggressive on the finish."

91 POINTS

A small-production vintage-dated sparkler made from 67% Pinot Noir and 33% Chardonnay, this wine succeeds in its smooth refined contour of peach mousse and vanilla. It's dry, but voluptuously rich, remaining balanced through the tangy tart finish."

90 POINTS

91 POINTS

“Intense, heady cherry and blackberry aromas are minerally on one hand and sweet like marzipan on the other. This textbook Garnacha-Carignan blend is tight on the palate, with live-wire berry, plum, earth and mineral flavors. Only on the finish does a touch of raisiny richness rise up; drink through 2017.”

88 POINTS

“…reveals very ripe dark fruit aromas on the nose with hints of tar and smoke. It is soft on the attack with dark and earthy fruit flavors with a touch of minerals on the mid palate and firm tannins on the finish.”

RECOMMENDED

"To salute the 100th anniversary of the first bottling of Freixenet, the Ferrer family created Casa Sala Brut Nature Gran Reserva, an exquisite vintage (2006) sparkling wine completely handcrafted using the original gravity-flow methods of a century ago. The wine enjoyed its U.S. debut at Toro, accompanied by tapas and presented by Freixenet Group CEO Pedro Ferrer. Half and half Xarel-lo and Parellada, the wine spent 50 full months on the lees under a cork stopper." View article

NEW RELEASE

"Freixenet USA introduced a vintage Cava this fall. The 2006 Casa Sala Gran Reserva Brut Nature takes its name from the Sala side of the Freixenet's founding Sala Ferrer family, with a label replicating that of the first Freixenet Brut Nature."

90 POINTS

91 POINTS

90 POINTS

“Tight-grained tannins wrap around full-bodied earthiness and fruit, while a mixture of strawberry and cherry is met by bay and a hint of mint. Bright, lively acidity adds to the experience, which succeeds in length and depth."